A single-stage paint correction takes 3 to 5 hours on a sedan and 5 to 7 hours on a larger SUV or truck. Multi-stage corrections (heavier swirl, deeper scratches) can run 8 to 12 hours and may need to span two visits.
Here is the actual sequence: full hand wash and decontamination wash (iron remover, clay bar) takes the first hour, paint inspection under a corrective light identifies which areas need cutting, then a dual-action polisher works each panel one at a time at slow speed. The longer the polishing time per panel, the deeper the defects we can pull out.
Honest caveats: paint correction is destructive (we remove a thin layer of clear coat to level the surface), so it is not something to do every six months. Done well it lasts 2 to 4 years before the swirls return from regular washing — protect the result with a wax, sealant, or Jet Seal to extend it. Cars with very thin or worn clear coat may need a repaint, not a correction; we will tell you up front if that is the case.
